Office worker beat up and blackmailed boss in row over wages

Jonathon Ince wept in the dock as he was jailed for two and a half years after pleading guilty to blackmail and causing actual bodily harm to Neil Robertson.

Lindsay Thomas, prosecuting, told Bolton Crown Court how last August Ince, of Thornbank East, Deane, was employed by Eye Bookings who find bookings for financial advisors.

And when he failed to turn up for work on the second week he was paid £100 — although he believed he was owed a further £250.

Mrs Thomas said that on November 2, 34-year-old Mr Robertson went drinking and fell asleep on the sofa at his Moor Lane home, only to be woken by Ince punching him in the face and kicking him, leaving him with black eyes and a bruised and battered face.

Ince demanded Mr Robertson pay him £250 then sent him a text saying: “If you don’t have my money I’ll kick you in the face. You are in my town. I’ll let you go missing. I’ve been too lenient. If you don’t have it hide coz I’ll beast you.”

The court heard Mr Robertson was “petrified” after 27-year-old Ince’s attack. Andrew Costello, defending, said Ince was remorseful and had handed himself in to police.

Recorder David Turner QC said he had read letters in support of Ince.

He said: “On one hand there are references from people who talk of a very good and sensitive man but unfortunately you have this other side to your character.”